Jets visit a thrill for kids at rehabilitation centre

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This article was published 06/12/2018 (2466 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The Winnipeg Jets got their usual welcome from adoring fans Thursday, even though they were the visiting team at the Rehabilitation Centre for Children.

The waiting room at the centre was packed with more than 35 youngsters, all decked out in blue and white jerseys, anxiously waiting to meet eight of their heroes.

Each one of the kids has a different story marked with challenges; some have prosthetic limbs, others are confined to wheelchairs or have trouble speaking. Many rely heavily on their guardians to help them accomplish everyday tasks.

Those challenges seemed to vanish when the door opened and the Jets walked in.

“I love the Jets and I finally get to meet the Jets players,” said 13-year-old Téo Roy. “I’ve loved the Jets since I was a little kid and I still do. I never will stop loving the Jets.”

Téo, who plays wheelchair basketball and sledge hockey, said he hopes to go to the Paralympics one day.

He held a signed Winnipeg Jets hockey stick that was given to him by left-wing Kyle Connor after a game. He got eight more signatures Thursday and said he wants every player on the team to sign it.

Connor was in Thursday’s waiting-room lineup, along with teammates Patrik Laine, Connor Hellebuyck, Brandon Tanev, Sami Niku, Tyler Myers, Ben Chiarot and Nelson Nogier.

“We try and make these kids smile a bit and just have fun here,” Laine said. “All of these kids, they have their own personal issues, but it’s awesome to see them smile and just make their day and it’s always special to be here.”

Each of the kids at the centre were given a miniature stick to have autographed; many also had their jerseys, tuques and in one case, an iPad, signed.

“It’s been awesome, (the kids) are so joyful and grateful for us being here,” Tanev said. “We are very lucky to come down here and meet each one of these kids and share that experience with them, especially during the holidays.”

The Jets make it a point to visit kids in hospitals and treatment centres every year during the holiday season.

“We are in a room full of children who are meeting their idols,” said Adell Gauthier, an event co-ordinator at the centre.

“Watching how exciting it is for kids who are such strong kids in their daily lives getting to meet the people that mean the most to them, it’s a magical day.”

danton.unger@freepress.mb.ca